Russian Recap Beslan 2016 (Part 1)

Maria's colorful Art Studio

I arrived in Moscow a few days before heading to Beslan. We went straight to Maria's studio to visit and play. Even though I was tired from travel, the studio and kids still energized me. It is always a fun place to be and I understand why the kids love it there.

Elya and Chip

After a few hours at the studio, we went to Maria's dacha. There I got to play with Elya. She played with me as if no time had passed since our last time playing together. A sign of true friendship :0).

Vika and Masha playing Taxi Driver

After a good nights sleep. The next day was filled with more great experiences. We went to the studio in the afternoon to play some clown improv games and just hang out. In the evening I got treated to a Russian experience for sure. A Zemfira concert. Zemfira is one of the biggest performers in Russia. Her concerts are a great spectacle, full of loud rock music, love ballads, light shows, and dancing. I am not even sure who to compare her to, as she doesn't really compare to anyone. Even though the songs were in Russian, I could enjoy the music and the atmosphere and the people watching.

Guillaume

The following day, I woke up to see Guillaume sitting in the kitchen! Guillaume is a fan favorite and one of the best humanitarian clowns in the world! We embraced, and then proceeded to play for the next 8 days!

Igor

He is creative too

Kids from orphanage No. 4 came to Maria's dacha to paint and make kites and ceramics. One of the kids, Igor, took my camera and started taking photos. For a kid who lives in an orphanage with no guidance, he sure knew a lot about my camera. He took some nice photos too. With some guidance, I hope he may make a career out of photography? We shall see.

Charlie and Guillaume

That evening I met a friend of Guillaume. Her name is Charlie. She is a clown from England who lights up a room instantly. She was such a great spirit to have on our trip. She and Guillaume met in Thailand, where they worked a circus camp for the kids there. Thailand has a lot of need for programs to help their children, a lot like Russia, and Charlie's dream is to open a program there like Maria has in Russia. I really get to meet some extraordinary women!

Justin, AKA Zhorik

The next day we traveled to Vladikavkas. It is the nearest city to Beslan, and where we would stay for our week long stint. Vladikavkas is a beautiful town near the Caucasus Mountains. We love staying there. At the airport we met other clowns and friends who would join us for the week long festival in Beslan. The group was mostly made up of Russians, which I think is fantastic! One gentleman I met was sorta Russian and sorta American. He grew up in America, but moved to Russia in the late 1980s during the cold war and never left. He actually went there to become a spy for America, which is fascinating to me. He realized after a bit of time that he didn't have some of the qualities needed to be a spy, although he did have quite a few qualities that he needed to be a spy... just not all the qualities. You will have to read his book to understand more. It is called "How Not To Become a Spy" by Justin Lifflander. The short version is he fell in love with a Russian woman and developed a life with her in Russia. They are still married 25 years later.

Chip and Aslan

We are typically greeted with lots of smiles and laughs wherever we go as a group. Last year I was greeted by a man named Aslan. He was a taxi driver. I was juggling and he came to me and gestured for the balls. He showed me he could juggle too. We laughed and hugged and exchanged names. Things like this happen a lot when you are dressed as a clown, but for some reason I remembered this man's name. Not exactly sure why, but he stuck in my mind.

Well, when we arrived in Vladikavkas, Aslan was there with a big smile. I took one looked, yelled "Aslan!" and we hugged! It was one of the greatest moments of the trip for me for unknown reasons. With the language barrier, we couldn't communicate in words much, but we communicated tons with facial expressions and joy and hugging. It was a great pleasure for me to see him there! Later I learned that he is a neighbor of one of the teachers at the school. He found out I was coming and he came to the airport, ON HIS DAY OFF, to meet me!! What an honor for me! He was there again on the day we were leaving and we hugged and laughed some more. What a connection, that is just indescribable to me.

Ok, that will do it for today. I will tell more of the stories when I can. In the meantime...

                     Go Out and Hug a Friend Today!!!




 

Eat, Play, Love Russian Style 2016

Chip and Guillaume play and wave goodbye to Beslan

Here is a tease of Russia. More to come in the coming weeks as I have time to share. There is always so much to share from Russia. Photos, stories, and more. My blog is my personal "journal" for myself, but I hope you enjoy the stories and anecdotes as well.

Bring in the Ossetia Pies

Where to begin? I guess, just like last year, I will begin with Eat! It was another successful trip to Russia, and not just because I gained 5 pounds. Food was shared everywhere we went, which reminded me of all the friends I have in Russia. I can never thank them enough for the way they make me feel welcomed, even though I only see them once a year. I tell myself, I have to go home to detox. That's what makes saying goodbye a little easier. But not really.

We even play on the streets of Vladikavkas

Play you say? Oh yeah, we played! We ALWAYS play in Russia. Especially in Beslan. The kids there are as excitable and playful as any kids I have ever met. I walk thru the school doors and a chorus of "Chip, Chip, Chip!!" fills my soul! Everywhere I turn kids want to play with me. I truly could use a clown... I mean a clone or two of myself. I desperately want to play with ALL of the kids, and I only hope they know how much I appreciate them! Hopefully I have at least made a few of them feel my joy and love for them.

Chip and Agunda. Oh I do love her

Love? Oh yeah, there is love too. Kids in Russia are not shy about hugging! I don't count, but I am quite confident I collect 1000 hugs or more each year I go. And it is still not enough. One of the many reasons I go back every year... to collect more hugs for my soul! A soul can never have too many hugs or too much love in my humble opinion.

Grab a friend or two and go for a walk today. That should make you feel better as well.

So, if you are ever feeling down or overwhelmed with this crazy world we live in, I say go to Russia and hug a child. Or HUG a child, friend, or family member  in your own home, neighborhood, etc. I am sure it will brighten your day and most likely theirs as well! A win win to start your day!!

         Now Go Out and Hug Anyone Who Needs It Today!!!